INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
successful detachment from your surroundings
the increasing visibility of VR technology, and waves of hype and venture capital ensuring a steady release schedule for standalone
headsets, the very act of wearing one remains anti-social
Even if you're taking part in a multiplayer experience, the chances are you're playing against someone in another corner of the world.Some
modern arcades, however, are looking to learn from the success of the retro gaming bar: drinking establishments stocked with anything from a
battered pinball machine to Street Fighter cabinets and arcade shooters
arcadeVR users play in full-view of the open-plan bar | Credit: Lost Rivers and The VR ConceptPutting high-end VR devices in the hands of
nightly punters, who may have enjoyed several beverages before slipping on their headset, naturally causes its own problems
For The VR Concept, it required a major rethink of the way we think about virtual experiences.Simply put, The VR Concept delivers VR
experiences on the premises of existing bars and pubs
The company was founded back in 2016 by Anthony Nixon and Oli Lane, after a chance meeting as landlord/tenant through room-rental site
Airbnb.While Nixon had worked previously in IT infrastructure, Lane had a more sci-fi background in satellite propulsion
local pub in the London borough of Clapham, that led to their fledgling company setting up their first VR experience within the venue.Just
over 18 months later, and their chain already makes up 50% of all VR arcades in the capital, using the stable footfall of established pubs
to drum up interest and get their VR wares in the hands of a wide spectrum of demographics, largely using the technology for the first time
venues operational across London and Brighton, The VR Concept have rapidly expanded at a time where smaller, pop-up VR ventures are
struggling to find an audience.Their latest site, Lost Rivers Elephant, stocks four HTC Vive headsets and accompanying Deluxe Audio Straps,
tied to the ceiling by an extendable seatbelt that prevents players roaming too far
The effect is very Ready Player One - a film they openly credit with the growth of their user base over the past few months.The experience
eye) and precise room-scale motion tracking
(Though the Oculus Rift has an equivalent resolution, it only implemented room-scale tracking midway through 2017.)Each venue uses a rig of
connected HTC Vive's with Deluxe Audio Straps | Credit: Lost Rivers and The VR ConceptDespite the processing power needed to run numerous
outputting 1500W when running four players concurrently
nascent success has lain in treating VR in the same way other large-scale venues would treat a major sporting event
grope around in VR while sipping on a drink
jetpacks with FPS-shooting for satisfying and deeply chaotic play sessions
Quest offers collaborative gameplay for friends or family through an adorable-but-deadly cartoon dungeon (below), while Serious Sam offers a
two-player wave shooter for fans of the bombastic series.TheIndianSubcontinent gears up for battle with the company founders | Credit: Henry
the coin-op cabinets still found in countless bars around the world, and which - incredibly - can still cost more by-the-minute than an
isolated, niche interest, modern arcades may be able to tackle this problem head-on: by bringing VR to social spaces and ensuring players
and punters feel connected to the experience.There are other notable VR sites worldwide attracting interest, including a VR bar in Vienna
and a high-profile theme park in Guizhou, China that opened its doors this month
Even as this nascent technology struggles to gain a foothold in everyday use, these ventures point to a bright future for VR as a
